Trail link to parks is eyed

Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Joe Noga jnoga@sunnews.com

Brooklyn Sun Journal

BROOKLYNOrganizers who want to build a trail that joins
local parks to the Cleveland Metroparks system revealed this
week their long-term plans to city leaders and a small, but
vocal group of residents who would be affected by the
project.

Supporters of the Big Creek Trail and Neighborhood
Connector Plan on Monday offered the results of a
feasibility study to Brooklyn City Council.

The $75,000 study, led by the Floyd-Browne Group, developed
preferred alignments for a 3-mile all-purpose trail
expansion through the city.

The project seeks to connect the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
and Brookside Reservation to the Big Creek Reservation south
of Brookpark Road in Parma.

Proponents of the study examined connecting parks,
neighborhoods, civic and commercial areas throughout
Brooklyn while identifying opportunities for interpretive
exhibits and ecological restoration.

The study was funded by a $60,000 Federal Transportation
for Livable Communities Initiative grant, which was
administered through the Northeast Ohio Coordinating Agency.
Local matches from the cities of Brooklyn, Cleveland and
Parma, Cleveland Metroparks and Friends of Big Creek funded
the remainder of the project.

Councilman Joe Magrey said reactions to the proposal have
been strong on both sides.

"There are some people that are dead-set against
it," he said. "And there are some people that
can't wait to see it happen."

Councilwoman Kathy Pucci stressed that no decisions have
been made about the proposal, and that the project has
long-term goals that will not immediately impact Brooklyn
homeowners.

"Some residents have the impression that this is going
to start next year," she said. "That's not
the case. This will be done in segments, not all at
once."

The first public meeting to discuss the proposal will take
place at 3 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Magrey said residents need to attend the meeting to make sure their concerns are heard....

Trail link to parks is eyed

Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Joe Noga jnoga@sunnews.com

Brooklyn Sun Journal

BROOKLYNOrganizers who want to build a trail that joins
local parks to the Cleveland Metroparks system revealed this
week their long-term plans to city leaders and a small, but
vocal group of residents who would be affected by the
project.

Supporters of the Big Creek Trail and Neighborhood
Connector Plan on Monday offered the results of a
feasibility study to Brooklyn City Council.

The $75,000 study, led by the Floyd-Browne Group, developed
preferred alignments for a 3-mile all-purpose trail
expansion through the city.

The project seeks to connect the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
and Brookside Reservation to the Big Creek Reservation south
of Brookpark Road in Parma.

Proponents of the study examined connecting parks,
neighborhoods, civic and commercial areas throughout
Brooklyn while identifying opportunities for interpretive
exhibits and ecological restoration.

The study was funded by a $60,000 Federal Transportation
for Livable Communities Initiative grant, which was
administered through the Northeast Ohio Coordinating Agency.
Local matches from the cities of Brooklyn, Cleveland and
Parma, Cleveland Metroparks and Friends of Big Creek funded
the remainder of the project.

Councilman Joe Magrey said reactions to the proposal have
been strong on both sides.

"There are some people that are dead-set against
it," he said. "And there are some people that
can't wait to see it happen."

Councilwoman Kathy Pucci stressed that no decisions have
been made about the proposal, and that the project has
long-term goals that will not immediately impact Brooklyn
homeowners.

"Some residents have the impression that this is going
to start next year," she said. "That's not
the case. This will be done in segments, not all at
once."

The first public meeting to discuss the proposal will take
place at 3 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Magrey said residents need to attend the meeting to make sure their concerns are heard....